Hamas rejects new elections, says Abbas seeks war

GAZA, Dec 15 (Reuters) A top Hamas leader today accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah of launching a war against the ruling Islamic militant group and said it would not agree to holding early elections.

''What a war Mahmoud Abbas you are launching, first against God, and then against Hamas,'' senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya told about 100,000 Hamas supporters in Gaza after Abbas's forces opened fire on a Hamas rally in the West Bank.

He said Hamas would not agree to holding an early election or a referendum on the issue, a move that Abbas could announce in a speech planned for tomorrow.

REUTERS SY BST1856